Eric Hinske felt funny about missing nearly three weeks in his first spring training with the Pirates.
Thus, the infielder/outfielder was happy to get back into the lineup March 18 against Minnesota. He started in right field and 0-for-2 with a strikeout and a walk in six innings after not seeing action in a major league exhibition game since Feb. 26 because of a bruised left ribcage. He had played in minor league exhibitions the previous two days, getting a total of 12 plate appearances. "The last thing I wanted to happen was to come here and get hurt," said Hinske, signed to a one-year, $1.5 million contract as a free agent in January after spending last season with the Tampa Bay Rays. "Everyone has been good about it, though, from the front office on down. They told me to take my time and make sure I was healthy before coming back. If anything, they erred on the side of caution.
"Still, it's nice to get back out there and face pitching in a major league game. The results weren't there, but it was just good to be back."
An extra week has been added to spring training this year to allow players to prepare for the World Baseball Classic. Hinske believes that gives him plenty of time to get ready for the regular season, which begins April 6 when the Pirates play at St. Louis.
"Ideally, you'd like to get 50 at-bats in spring training, and I'll definitely get that many," Hinske said. "I'll be fine."
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